Sunday, May 6, 2007

A Beautiful Day at Western Avenue

D and I went to Western Avenue for first Saturdays open studios. The day was so pretty we decided to walk over there. We got coffee and tea at Brew'd Awakening and took our time wandering down the canal toward the studios. I still can't get over how close to us that building is. Because of the way the roads are blocked off at the train tracks, you have to make a huge loop around to get there by car. It was weeks after I visited there the first time that I realized the old mill is visible from Thorndike Street on the way out of town. You can walk by the car wash and slip through the Jersey barriers to get there on foot. I know they are trying to get the road reopened, but a railroad crossing needs to be constructed, so I know it will not be an easy task. But that would be an enormous benefit to drawing people to the studios.

Once inside, we took the freight elevator to the fifth floor and visited each open studio (not everyone was in) and made our way down each floor. There are quite a few people I know in there and some I met for the first time. I was glad to see some jewelers! And of course Sonja and Ole in the Friend's Fabric Art studio where we got to see her hand sewn wedding dress and a bridesmaid dress in process. Beautiful! She also has many, many useful and unusual art supplies for me to spend my earnings on in the future!

So of course we had a wonderful time and I was excited to tell people how I was coming in soon, everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I even gave out a few postcards.

But the moment that really made the day was when we stepped into Mill A and saw that the studs were up and I could see the delineation of my studio parameters! THAT'S when I lost it. In a good way. And there was another artist looking at her future space and she seemed as excited as I was so that was very fun. They say June first, and I have signed a lease, so we'll just see!

Love the photo with the diagram drawing arrows with notes. Nifty idea. Hey and Mehmed Ali is running for City Council and says that the Western Ave road crossing will be one of his issues that he'd tackel!

Sandra Eileen visited my blog from your blog to see the bridesmaids dress which is way too much fun.

I'm going to have to take some time to check out all your links that you have listed and revisit Etsy. Hey, my mom's birthday is coming up. I might have to come visit to see what earrings you have or at least check out what you have on Etsy. Hope Chester is enjoying the sun to bask in.TTFN,

Cool! I happened to search "Art is the Handmaid of Human Good", and found your site(s). Very nice! I'm also at Western Ave. in the SW corner of the fifth floor. It looks like you will be a GREAT addition to our mix of artists. Welcome!-Jay (studio 524)

Sonja - Thanks for the interesting local politics news, and definitely check Etsy for all gift ideas! If you don't see something in my shop that is perfect, I know SOMEONE will have the perfect thing :)

msbelle - I am almost afraid to think of my great good fortune *knocks wood* I promise to only use my powers for good :)

Jay - Wow! what a wonderful welcome! I think I've seen you and your gargoyle sculptures on local access TV :) The whole vibe of Western Ave is very friendly and encouraging. I am so into that and will perpetuate the good vibes when I am in.

That sounds like a lovely day! I am jealous of your studio space. For about a week I had some space reserved at Western Ave. but I had to make the very difficult but fiscally responsible (both because of the rent but also because of the proximity to Hub Mills) decision not to sign the lease. Oh well, maybe someday...

Marianne - LOL about Hub Mills! For those who don't know, it's a place to get yarn. I haven't been there, but my studio is right below it! Amanda of http://brickmillstudio.etsy.com who is also a knitter and moving into Western Ave on the same floor I am. We already talked about the impending danger of being so close to so much yarn! I hope you will visit and maybe someday join us in the studios!!

Maia- it is all about the tingly! Now when you finally visit the east coast again, you'll have a special destination north of Boston :)